11 August 2005
Makna Refutes Claims Of Abuse In Its Projects

Kuala Lumpur : The National Cancer Council (Makna) refuted claims that there had been abuses in tis projects, as most of them did not incur any cost while proceeds went directly to its coffers.

Makna president Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin said, however, there were a few projects where at least 92% of proceeds went to the council.

"We raise funds for the poor, and we do it transparently. We have nearly 200 projects of which most are 'zero cost'.

"Only very few projects where our friends raise funds for us, there is a cost but that cost is 8%," he old reporters after the cheque presentation ceremony at its headquarters yesterday.

Mohd Farid, who was responding to the Sunday Star report that not all money donated by public goes to charity, said Makna had nothing to hide as its accounts were audited every year and its annual general meeting report was a public document.

He said the council had collected money for ovey 74,000 cancer cases in the past 10 years, coming up with between RM1mil and RM2mil a month.

Earlier, he received on behalf of the council a mock cheque for RM30,000 from Pathlab president and chief executive officer Marcus K.F. Kam.

The money was raised in a cancer awareness and screening campaign jointly organised by Makna, Pathlab and Parkson last August.

Meanwhile, Mofaz Dagang Sdn Bhd, the brand owner of Alla Fonte mineral water, is in collaboration with Makan to raise money for poor cancer patients.

Mofaz Dagang Group of Companies senior vice-president Nik Izani Nik Ibrahim said 1% of proceeds form the sale of its mineral water from next month til November would go to Makna.

Source by: The Star , August 11, 2005